bicycle accident

Have you been injured in a bicycle accident in San Mateo, CA? Was someone else to blame for what happened? If so, they could owe you compensation for your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and more.

But don’t expect them or their insurance company to pay you what you’re owed voluntarily. Instead, you’ll likely need legal help to assert your rights and demand the full amount you are entitled to by law.

Contact Carcione, Henderson & Markowitz, LLP today at (650) 367-6811 for a free consultation with a San Mateo bicycle accident attorney, and let’s discuss your case together.

Why Choose Carcione, Henderson & Markowitz, LLP for Your Bicycle Accident Case?

When you’re pursuing a San Mateo bike accident claim, you deserve a professional, aggressive, and knowledgeable attorney – someone who has the insight and the resources to pursue your personal injury case effectively. That’s the kind of legal support you’ll find at Carcione, Henderson & Markowitz, LLP.

Here’s why injury victims across California choose our law firm:

  • We have over 40 years of experience seeking maximum compensation for our clients. Since opening our doors in 1981, we’ve handled countless catastrophic injury, motor vehicle, and product liability cases involving complex laws and high stakes.
  • We’ve secured hundreds of millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements. Our track record includes several multimillion-dollar recoveries, such as a $41,411,452 jury verdict for a motocross bike accident victim.*
  • We limit the number of cases we take to better serve our clients. You will never be just a name or number on a case file with us. Instead, your recovery will be our priority.
  • We’re committed to one-on-one dialogues and effective communication. We’ll always listen to your questions and concerns closely and provide you with answers and legal guidance in plain English.
  • We offer free, no-obligation initial consultations. That way, you can learn more about your case without any pressure. And if you choose to work with us, you will pay no upfront fees for our services – you only pay us if we win your case.

Here’s what one of our former clients had to say:

“I had a great experience working with Carcione, Henderson & Markowitz, LLP… Their team took the time to guide me through every step, explaining everything clearly and making sure I understood my options. They were very professional, responsive, and detail-oriented throughout the entire process. I felt well-supported from start to finish, and they handled everything efficiently. We were able to win the case without unnecessary stress or complications…” – Scott Zhao

When you need a small firm that gets big results, you need Carcione, Henderson & Markowitz, LLP.*

What to Do After a Bicycle Accident in San Mateo

The first thing to do in the immediate aftermath of a bicycle accident is to get yourself to safety. Then, you should:

  • Call 911 and report the accident if you’re able to. Cooperate with responding officers and answer their questions honestly, but stick to the facts.
  • Exchange information with the driver. Get their name, license plate number, and insurance details. Also, get contact info from any witnesses who saw what happened.
  • Get medical attention if you were not transported from the scene. Tell the doctor that you were hit by a vehicle while biking, as this information will guide their treatment plan and help link any injuries you’ve suffered to the accident.
  • Do not agree to provide a recorded statement. The driver’s insurance provider might contact you within a few days of the crash. Be careful what you say to the adjuster, as they will be looking for anything they can use against you later.

Save as much evidence about the accident as possible, such as your bike, the clothes you were wearing, and any photos or videos you took at the scene. Don’t panic if you weren’t able to – investigating the crash is your bicycle injury lawyer’s job. Reach out to us as soon as possible to arrange a consultation. We can review your case with you, answer your questions, and explain whether you’re entitled to compensation.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in San Mateo?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there was a yearly average of 45,400 bicyclists injured and 883 killed in traffic accidents over a recent five-year period. About 85 percent of these fatal collisions happened in urban areas like San Mateo, and virtually all of them were the result of collisions with vehicles.

These crashes often happen because of:

  • Failing to yield at intersections
  • Turning across a cyclist’s path
  • Opening car doors into bike lanes
  • Passing too closely
  • Driving while distracted or impaired
  • Speeding or following too closely
  • Entering bike lanes without checking
  • Ignoring cyclists at driveways and parking lots

What Types of Bicycle Accidents Do We Handle?

At Carcione, Henderson & Markowitz, LLP, we’re ready to handle a wide range of bicycle accident cases, including those involving:

  • Dooring accidents
  • Unsafe passing or sideswipe crashes
  • Intersection and failure-to-yield accidents
  • Hit-and-run bicycle accidents
  • Commercial vehicle or rideshare collisions
  • Car accidents
  • Defective bicycle or component claims
  • Dangerous road or bike-lane cases
  • Pedestrian–cyclist collisions
  • Fatal bicycle accident claims

Don’t see the type of crash that injured you on the list? We may still be able to help. Call now to speak with a bike accident lawyer in San Mateo.

What California Bicycle Laws Affect Your Claim?

Bicyclists in California have the same rights and obligations as motorists. This means they must obey traffic signs and signals, including stopping at stop signs and red lights.

The following rules also apply specifically to cyclists:

  • Using bike lanes – Bicyclists traveling slower than traffic must use a bike lane if one is provided, except when passing, making a left turn, or avoiding a hazard.
  • Using roadways – If a bike lane is not provided, bicyclists traveling slower than traffic must stay as far to the right side of the roadway as possible. However, if the lane is too narrow to safely share with traffic, a cyclist can use the entire lane.
  • Riding with traffic – Bicyclists must travel in the same direction as traffic, not against it as pedestrians would.
  • Using hand signals – Bicyclists must make an appropriate signal to alert other road users of their intentions before turning, changing lanes, or making other movements.
  • Equipping your bike – Bicycles must meet certain safety equipment standards, including requirements for brakes, reflectors, headlights, and seats.

Under California’s pure comparative negligence system, your financial recovery may be reduced by your percentage of fault for the collision. Any claims that you violated these laws could make you at least partially responsible and affect the compensation you might be entitled to. Our skilled San Mateo personal injury attorneys can gather evidence to build a strong claim that places the blame where it belongs.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Bicycle Accident?

Depending on the circumstances, many different parties could be liable for a bicycle accident in San Mateo, including:

  • Negligent drivers – A motorist may be liable for the collision if they were speeding, driving distracted, failing to yield, passing too closely, opening a door into a cyclist’s path, or violating another traffic law.
  • Commercial vehicle or rideshare companies – When a driver causes a crash while working, their employer may be liable. The company could also be responsible for its own negligent behavior, such as encouraging unsafe driving hours.
  • Bicycle and parts manufacturers – A manufacturer or distributor may be responsible if component defects cause an accident or worsen injuries, such as brakes that fail to engage when activated or a defective bike helmet that leads to a head injury.
  • Repair shops and rental companies – A bike shop may be liable for negligent repairs or assembly. A rental or bike-share operator could also be responsible for providing an unsafe bicycle or failing to inspect and maintain its equipment.
  • Government entities – A city, county, state, or transportation agency may bear liability for dangerous road conditions, such as poorly designed bike lanes, missing signage, or broken traffic signals. Claims against public entities often involve special notice requirements and shorter deadlines.
  • Property owners – Businesses and private individuals may be liable when they allow hazards, such as debris or cracked pavement, to develop on their property and don’t correct them within a reasonable time.

In some cases, multiple parties may be to blame, which can mean more sources of compensation for the bike accident victim.

What Compensation Can Bicycle Accident Victims Recover?

Someone who causes an injury accident should have to pay for the consequences. A bike crash lawyer in San Mateo from Carcione, Henderson & Markowitz, LLP can help victims demand compensation for their:

How Long Do You Have to File a Bicycle Accident Lawsuit in California?

Unfortunately, you do not have unlimited time to pursue your bicycle accident lawsuit. California’s statute of limitations on personal injury claims gives you two (2) years from the date of the accident under most circumstances. The court will likely dismiss your claim as untimely if you try to file your suit after this deadline has passed. Protect your right to fair compensation by getting in touch with an experienced biking accident lawyer right away.